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<DIV ALIGN=center><B>The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network Statment </B></DIV>
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<DIV ALIGN=center><B>PNGO Reminds WHO that Jerusalem Is under Belligerent Occupation</B></DIV>
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The Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) is gravely concerned over WHO’s Europe office décision to hold its First <FONT COLOR="#000000">European Conference on the New European Policy for Health in the occupied Jerusalem. Under international law East Jerusalem is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel’s decision to annex it is null and void as land cannot be acquired by annexation, a principle set forth by article 4(2) of the UN Charter. The United Nations has in many resolutions affirmed the illegality of the Israeli annexation decision. In resolution 478, and in response to Israel’s decision to annex the city, </FONT>the United Nations Security Council reiterated once and again that acquisition of territory or its annexation by force is forbidden under international law.<BR>
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More importantly the resolution requested member states not to take any steps with regard to their diplomatic mission that might jeopardise the legal status of Jerusalem as an occuppied City. Here we find it necessary to remind WHO of its status as one of the UN specialized agencies that should respect UN resolutions and international law and principles of the UN enshrined in its conventions.<BR>
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Surprisingly WHO has chosen Israel as a country to carry out its First Conference on the New European Policy for Health in. By this decision WHO appears to be rewarding law breakers who do not even give the minimum respect to the UN itself. Examples on Israel’s disregard to the UN are numerous. We would just mention Israel’s bombing of UNRWA’s main office in Gaza during the recent offensive of Gaza and its attack against one of the UNFIL sites in the south Lebanon during the 2006 war. It should be enough to say that Israel has not complied with a single UN resolution since its establishment. What makes the decision even more shocking is that WHO chose to hold it in Jerusalem. This can be construed, one way or another, as an approval of Israel’s annexation decision, contrary to UN will. Given all of these facts, we believe that WHO’s decision is questioned. <BR>
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On another level related to WHO’s mandate as health organization it should be mentioned that Israel’s record is full with attacks against health institutions, ambulances, medical and health facilities. Dozens of Palestinian women delivered at check points and road blocks after they had been denied access to hospitals by Israeli occupying forces. Many health workers including doctors and nurses got killed while on duty. Ambulances have been targeted and crushed by tanks many times. We do not need to provide an evidence on this as we are sure that everybody has seen it on TV stations live. Needless to say that WHO is aware of all these violations prcticesd. In this regard Palestinian organizations working in the field of health would like to emphsise the following :<BR>
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· WHO is one of the respected international organizations whose services are highly valued everywhere. Therefore, WHO should not jeorpadise its credibality and impartiality by taking such hasty decisions.<BR>
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· WHO should reconsider its decision and at least change the place of the Conference.<BR>
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· WHO’s insistence on holding the Conference in Jerusalem is seen as an approval of Israel’s decision to annex the occupied city and encouragement to Israel to go further in its illegal practices against Palestinians, which can be sometimes seen as complicity in crimes.<BR>
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<B>24 novembre 2011 </B><BR>
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<B>The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO)</B><BR>
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<B>Health Sector Committee </B><BR>
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